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andydrysdalerogers · 5 months

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Cross-Checked ~ Chapter 1

Andy Barber x OFC Leighton "Leia" Andrews

Summary:

Andy Barber is having the best year of his life. His game is on point. It’s gets to play with his best friend and his fiancé just... dumped him?!.

Reeling from a sudden change in status, Andy decides it’s time to just focus on hockey. Until his best friend's sister comes out with news that rock the entire organizations world.,

Andy has always carried a torch for the untouchable Leighton but in her hour of need, is now the time to shoot and score or risk getting cross - checked again?

Warnings: Cheating (but not by the MCs); slow burn; friends to lovers eventually; SMUT!; pregnancy; jealousy; evil exes...

I do NOT give permission for my work to be translated or reposted on here or any other site, even if you give me credit. DO NOT REPOST MY FICS. Reblogs, comments, likes, and feedback ALWAYS appreciated

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

Banners by me!

Series Masterlist // Main Masterlist

Chapter 1: it's supposed to be my year - Andy

Third Person POV

The Red line is a good place to hide from the world.

A dive bar that's only really known by locals and a perfect hideout for the local team, The Boston Bruins. This is where we can find the hero of our story. Or a broken heart reeling from the shock of a lifetime. The bartender puts the third glass of Glenlevet 12 in front of the broken man at the corner of his bar. 

Andy

“You want something to eat Barber?”

I shook my head. The idea of food just made me want to throw up. This must be the worst day of my life. Sitting at our local dive, all I wanted to do was to drink myself to sleep. Maybe then I'll wake up from this nightmare. Have you ever been stood up at the alter? No? Lucky you.

“Knew I’d find you here.” I looked over to my best friend and alternate captain Lukas Andrews. He signaled to Mike, the bartender, and pointed to my glass. “You ok?”

“I'm great. Just perfect.” I pulled at the tie on the collar of my tux. “I mean I paid for an entire wedding and the down payment on a house, but my bride decided to fuck my team mate the night before our wedding and lucky me I overheard them arguing about it right before she was going walk down the aisle.” I slammed back my drink. “Oh, and she runs away with said teammate.”

I signal for another. And dropped my head to the bar. “Andy maybe you should slow down?” Luke said.

“Why? I don't want to feel Luke. I just want to numb the pain.” Can’t he see that I just want me heart to stop hurting. I was betrayed by two people that I trusted tremendously and now have to deal with not just one heartbreak but two.

“I know buddy but maybe you should sleep?”

Luke’s a great best friend to have. He always tries to take care of me and I’d do the same for him. But right now, I don’t want to take care of myself. “No, we drink.”

That's the last thing I remember.

Please let me be dead.

That could be the only explanation as to why I was in so much pain. The alternative is that its a massive hangover and that would suck worse. I cracked an eye and sunlight hit me like fucking a truck. Fuck, I’m alive and it was going to be a hell of a day. It took everything to get to the bathroom and throw up like I’m a goddamm teenager.

I’m a 31-year-old professional hockey player. I don't get drunk anymore.

At least I didn't before yesterday. And it hit me that the love of my life screwed one of my best friends and teammates the night before our wedding and I got listen to him beg her not to marry me.

Fuck Fiona and fuck Craig Bailey.

I wandered downstairs, the aroma of fresh coffee hitting me like water in the Sahara. This is why Luke is my best friend. Fully expecting to see him sitting at the island, I'm stunned when I see my other best friend and Luke's sister making breakfast. “Morning?”

Leighton Andrews.

If there was one girl I wish I could marry it would been her. I’ve known the Andrews siblings since Luke and I were in kindergarten. Hell, I've been around since Leia was just a sweet little baby. She was an annoying brat for most of my childhood. But then when we came home for Christmas our freshman year of college and every change. Leia was only 14 at the time but she grew up way more than that. She had always been short, taking after their mother but everything else had grown up. She had tits that were perfect, a banging ass that I wanted to feel in my hands.

There was just one small problem.

She's my best friend's sister.

To call Luke overprotective would be the biggest understatement in the world. After their dad died in a freak accident, Luke took his job as “man of the house” very seriously. He made sure that his mom didn't feel lonely, and he made it his mission to protect his sister by any means necessary.

As the dutiful best friend, I, of course, helped him in his mission to protect her.

Did I have selfish reasons?

Yes. 

Did I tell him that?

I'm alive so what does that tell you.

“Hey Andy, good morning!” Leia chirped. She had always been a ball of sunshine and it was something that I loved about her. Except, wait, how did she get into my townhome?

“I say this with love, Leia, but what are you doing here? And how did you get into my house?”

She flashed me that goddam smile that makes me give her whatever hell she wants. “Mike called.”

Sadly, that's enough of an explanation.

“Where's lover boy? I thought you guys were attached at the hip?” I poured myself a cup of water, drained it with two ibuprofen and then moved on to coffee.

“Bret is on a business trip right now. He'll be back on Friday.”  

Bret. Blah, the man was a waste of space in mine and Luke’s opinion. He’s a stockbroker for some Fortune 500 company. When Leia started dating him, he was the epitome of douche bag. For the last year, Leia had subtly changed. She used to be a free spirit, dressed however she wanted. But Bret wanted a sophisticated partner that was like the other wives of brokers in his company. He would spend money to upgrade her wardrobe and then they bought a house together six months ago. I hated that. Even when I was with Fiona, I knew Leia deserved better. But she’s happy, and that’s all I can ask for.

“Was he even at my wedding? Or as I call it the implosion of my life?”

Leia came over and wrapped her arm around me and put her head on my shoulder. “He was there. He told me to tell you how was and sorry that Fiona was a complete bitch.”

“He did not say that.”

“Ok, fine, it was me but that's because it’s the truth.” Leia smiled at me sadly. “I’m so sorry, Andy.”

“Thanks, Leia.” I scrubbed a hand over my face. “I guess I'm just glad I found out before I married her.”

“She's an idiot Andy. I mean who in their right mind ditch a man like you?”

This really wasn't the time to get a semi. Her compliment is doing things to me.

“Please don't tell me she did it because I neglected her or drove her into another man's arms? I mean I know I’ve been busy but I was trying to secure our future, you know?” Fuck, did I screw this up? I was working to be named captain this upcoming season. The Bruins made that announcement a couple of weeks ago. It had been awesome at the time but was it tainted now?

“I don’t know. She’s been with you for like three years. She knows what it's like to be a WAG. She’s a fucking idiot Andy.” She moved to rub my back.

I looked around my townhouse. “I have to move out of this place because I have a new home. That she wanted. Fuck,” I dropped my head onto the kitchen counter with a thud. “Ow.” 

Leia chose at that moment to let out a series of adorable giggles, her second-choice weapon in her arsenal. “Feel better?”

“No,” I mumble.

She came over and kissed my forehead. “Everything is going to be ok. You are the captain this year. Your best friends are right beside you. And we'll always be by your side.”

I looked up at her. “Promise?” I held out my pinkie, something the three of us have done since we were kids. She took it with her own.

“Promise.”

“Fuck, who turned on the brightness?” Luke wandered into the kitchen. He took a seat next to me and lowered his head into his arms. “I’m never drinking with you again Barber.”

“I didn’t say you had to match me drink for drink Andrews.” I looked around, searching for his girlfriend. I vaguely remember her coming with him to the bar. “Where is Miranda?”

“She’s sleeping. I tried to wake her, but she said she’s not getting up unless I can promise pancakes and bacon in bed.” Luke looked at his sister. “I love you.”

Leia rolled her eyes. “Yeah, yeah. I’m doing this because I need to make sure you guys were ok. I gotta get back home for a meeting.”

I smiled at her. “You’re the best Leia.”

“And don’t you forget it.”

After the banging in my head subsided, I went to the new house. I needed to make this place my own. Fuck whatever Fiona wanted. I would make this the home of my dreams, not hers. As I walked up to the front, I saw someone sitting on the stoop. “The fuck are you doing here?” The nerve of this guy showing up to my house.

Craig stood up. “I just want a minute to explain.”

“Explain what? How you "accidentally" slept with my fiancé or how you were trying to convince her to leave me?” I raged. This fucker has balls, I'll give him that.

“Andy, it’s not like that. I'm in love with her. I have been for a long time.” 

“You slept with her once and all of a sudden, you've been in love with her for forever? Bull shit man.”

“It wasn't just once,” he said quietly. 

I stopped. “Wanna run that by me again?” I must have not heard him clearly

“It wasn't just the once. We've been seeing each other for the last year.”

We all heard that right?

“You've got to be kidding me! You've been fucking my fiancé for the last year?” I don't even let him respond. I deck him across the chin and drop him to the floor. Lucky for him, Luke shows up just when I go to hit him again.

“Andy! Stop! He's not worth it.” Luke grabs my arm and pulls me back. Another set of hands takes mine. I look back and see Leia and I calm a little under her touch.

“I fucking hate you! You were one of my best friends and you did this to me. Fuck you! You're dead to me!”

“We are on the same team Andy!” Craig argues. “I’m sorry but I love her, and we didn’t mean for this to happen.”

“I don't give a shit. She was mine and you fucked me over. I'll work with you on the ice, but I never want to speak to you or look at you outside of the arena ever again! Go back to your bitch and tell her I'll send her shit to her mother's.” Luke pushes Craig away from me and down the drive. I turned away and Leigh wrapped her arms around me, and I buried my head in her neck, sobbing into her. “Why?” I asked her.

“I don't know Andy but I'm right here.” She rubbed my back as Luke dealt with Craig. “Let it out, I've got you.”

This was supposed to be my year. I had the captaincy, I had a championship caliber team and a fiancé that I thought loved me. 

This was supposed to be my year. 

Now I know what it's like to get screwed over with my pants on.

Life is funny like that.

Taglist:

@patzammit

@texmexdarling

@slutforchrisjamalevans

@firephotogrl74

@tinkerbelle67

@before-we-get-started

@bunnyforhim

@alexakeyloveloki

@sunnyhummingbee

@whiskeytangofoxtrot555

@peaceinourtime82

@saucy-sassy-sparkly

@kmc1989

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stil-lindigo · 2 months

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ARTISTS FOR PALESTINE 🇵🇸 - On the 6th and 9th of March, I'll be doing art requests on stream with other notable artists to raise money for Operation Olive Branch and the PCRF.

I'm incredibly lucky to be counting quite a few big names in the roster, including known Jesus and Odysseus enthusiast @wolfythewitch, the extraordinary fanartist @denimcatfish, and the incredibly talented @troubledminnesotan, as well as Lilypichu from OfflineTV.

You'll be able to watch the streams on the day of the event either on my twitch channel here, or via the links provided by the artists below.

Lilypichu

Cuptoast

Akairosu_

Sevvanto

Wolfythewitch

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derekgoffard · 18 days

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* walks in after a year * 🚶 hay 👋

#HI. HI. ITS BEEN * CHECKS WATCH * A WHILE. 🪂#😭😭😭😭aaaAAAWWAH i didint mean to be so inactive gghwah 💥 hopefully i can post more here cus ooh i miss posting here T_T🙏#btd #boyfriend to death #ren hana #btd2 #strade #btd strade #girth.art #edit. sweet old strade was cross eyed and it was BUGGIN ME 😭

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lowpolyanimals · 7 months

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K.K. Slider from Animal Crossing: Wild World

#kk slider #dog #animal crossing #animal crossing wild world #thank you for your submission!#can't believe i haven't posted this king yet #he has the range!!#tell me your fav kk song in the notes!!#my fav official kk song literally changes daily but SO to: steep hill - marine song 2001 - go KK rider - DJ KK - KK Etude - KK Fugue -#KK Jonghara - KK Lovers - KK Marathon - KK Mariachi - KK Condor - KK Ragtime & ofc KK Disco although literally every song of his is perfect #fav unofficial kk song is KK Deja Vu #everyone go check out @kk-slider-covers-nobody-wanted #thanks op for outing me as a kk slider stan

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devxoid · 15 days

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regarding dr ratio's team join voiceline with aventurine

idk where it originated from but i've been seeing this notion that the ENG voiceline is horribly mistranslated and ratio is much more caring and friendly in the original CN. THIS IS LITERALLY NOT TRUE HE IS JUST AS BITCHY IN BOTH LANGUAGES

as a native chinese speaker i actually really love hsr's localisation and i would like to clarify the misconception + explain the cultural nuance/context behind this particular voiceline

i think this tweet might've been the original source for this misconception? op's translation of the CN line is very literal and completely lacking in cultural nuance. while the sentence 管好你自己 does literally translate to "take care of yourself", it lacks the automatic positive connotation that this sentence has in ENG. CN is a high context language -- aka the meaning of a sentence can be totally different based on context clues like tone, body language, etc.

ratio's tone in this line is not the tone of someone who is concerned for a friend. it's standoffish. when said in this kind of tone, the meaning of 管好你自己 is closer to "mind your own business", making the ENG "keep to yourself" a more accurate localisation.

in addition, the word 管 has connotations of controlling/managing something -- directly translating this to "take care of yourself" means it's missing a lot of important nuance.

granted, the second half of the line is a bit unnecessarily aggressive in ENG. the CN is more like "I have no need for your concern", and explicitly saying that he believes aven's concern to be "false" in ENG is definitely a lot ruder than the original line.

However. in my opinion it's not Too far off base. the way he emphasises the second half of that voiceline in CN carries an implication that he actually disdains aven's concern; we can extrapolate from context clues that he feels this way because aven's concern is just an act. tldr; eng line explicitly saying "false display" does make it ruder than CN but it didn't just come from nowhere -- the implication is already there in CN

this is not to say that ratio doesn't care about aven or see him as a friend. imo the reason ratio is so standoffish in this line is because any display of concern from aven here has the clear intention of teasing ratio. they both know ratio can take care of himself perfectly well. this is just how their dynamic works -- aven makes silly playful comments and ratio deflects them by acting cold.

in conclusion: ENG voiceline is not a mistranslation. hsr localisation is definitely not perfect but in this particular case i feel they've done a fairly good job of conveying the original meaning. thank you for coming to my ted talk

#SORRY FOR THE LONG ASS POST #Im just passionate about accurate localisation #if you read the whole thing thank you seriously #if anyone has other thoughts or questions please feel free to share under this post or in my inbox or wherever!#i did cross check all this with another native speaker but im open to hearing other ppl's interpretations too #dr ratio #aventurine #aventio #ratiorine #not necessarily ship but ill tag anyway #honkai star rail #hsr #long post

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gracekraft · 5 months

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Final Day!

My holiday sale ends today and I'll be closing my shop tomorrow, so if there's anything you wanted before the end of the year, come get it today!

Here's some of the latest SU sketch commissions! I also have Pokemon, Digimon, Animal Crossing, Danganronpa, and Beastars items available.

Etsy Shop

(please use this link as it helps me keep some fee money)

#steven universe #Blue Diamond #Pink Diamond #Spinel su #connie maheswaran #Connverse #Opal su #Beastars #Animal Crossing #danganronpa #danganronpa trigger happy havoc #Pokemon #Digimon #check out my shop I promise I have things from all these tags lol #etsy #artists on tumblr

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poorly-drawn-mdzs · 14 hours

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Do you like sci-fi and indie animation? Check out Monkey Wrench!

#monkey wrench #digital art #This series is very delightful and also in need of more attention!#Usually I would ramble about why love it - however I am going to go a little off the rails and talk about something else.#Namely that this is a gift for a very dear friend who loves this series a lot! One of my favourite people of all time!#Thank you for so many things. For keeping me going when times are dark. For sticking by in the hard times.#Thank you for the incredible soup and the fun moments! For the great recommendations on series.#I sometimes feel like I should thank the universe for letting our paths cross when they did.#It feels cheesy to say all this but I really am such a better person because of you.#Thank you for reading all my silly comics even though you have *no* idea what is going on in them. It means a lot.#My gift of a silly doodle and hopefully getting a few people to check out this show is not adequate to express my gratitude.#But hey - we've got the rest of our lives to keep saying thank you.#Love you lots mate. Can't say it enough B'*)

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commsroom · 4 days

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Okay! Obviously, I love Wolf 359. The available scripts for Wolf 359 are recording scripts, meaning they're inaccurate in a ton of places when it comes to finalized or improvised dialogue, and don't function well as transcripts (especially since the scripts for the live show and some of the mini episodes were never made available.) That said, I think everyone should read the scripts; the sheer amount of physical description that you can feel in the show, even if you can't see it... I guarantee it will enhance your listening experience. Most visual show to ever be an audio drama. So, in pursuit of both of these goals at once, I went over every word in the scripts, and wrote up new scripts for the unavailable ones. Some of the sound effects described - especially in early episodes - might not line up exactly, because I didn't want to mess with the non-dialogue portion of the show, but I hope this strikes a good balance and can be a useful resource.

#wolf 359 #w359 #i went back to standardize some s1 formatting last minute so um if i accidentally deleted anything in the process. let me know?#or if there's anything else that stands out but. it should all be there more or less. the dialogue should be accurate now.#do whatever you want with these. compare them to the unedited recording scripts.#use them for screenshots of things you couldn't accurately screenshot before.#use them as actual functional transcripts for dialogue you can't parse. though i had to make some choices with cross talk #especially in the sound and the fury where most of it isn't really meant to be heard and it doesn't easily. format together.#anyway. um. that's it! i hope someone finds this useful and i hope it gets some more people to check out the scripts. maybe.

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mblue-art · 6 months

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sans au sexyman polls doooodle

congrats to the kings<3 🫶🫶🫶

#utmv #cross!sans #error!sans #uf!sans #underfell!sans #fell!sans #sans au sexyman polls #no talk error angy #m rambles #after this tag #unfortunately i was not able to join in on the fun in xtwitter (or tumblr even) during the polls' duration 😔#but this year's results were interesting :)!#i super love all of the grapehead / lightbulb-head glowing blush cross art so much why is he so cute and handsome and rrhrfgrhgh #squeezes him like a stress ball /j #cross deserves it bc hes HOT theres no denying it tbh #he is everywhere and ppl like him and angst enjoyers like him and he has an ANIME (animation) so hes like. an anime boy. kinda. yk #/ hot - / handsome - / cute - / charming - / goofy - / sweet --- he checks some other boxes i wont mention them all bUT #HHELLOOO DO YOU SEE WHY. HE LIVES IN MY HEAD RENT-FREE. EVERY. DAY.#he is SO easy to put in Situations and ppl have fun with that and /puts head in hands/ anyway.#me looping strings around the pins i tacked onto their pictures and looking for their similarities (insert that one meme)#(if anyone wants me to actually go insane feral weird and simp/info dump/ramble and be annoying abt my beloveds in a post lmk 👍)

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puppyeared · 8 months

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delphox that you find on the side of a van

#remember when pokemon variant art was popular circa 2016?? can we bring that back pls????#no this is not one of those male/female version pokemon things. if pokemon wants to make a witch/wizard pokemon they gotta commit #i was poking around fakemon art when i was coming up with puppierrot/houndrels design and i found a cool delphox design based on zorro #it was made by darksilvania here on tumblr actually!! their designs are top notch go check it out #i love how the ear tufts were used to make the hats brim. nintendo missing out fr #that part of the design actually inspired me to make this. wizard brim…..#played with halftone here and i think it turned out great!!!#my art #myart #pokemon #delphox #pokemon variant #pokemon design #idk if ill commit to drawing the entire fennekin line with this design but it has crossed my mind

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andydrysdalerogers · 3 months

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Cross-Checked - Chapter Five

Andy Barber x OFC Leighton "Leia" Andrews

Summary:

Andy Barber is having the best year of his life. His game is on point. It’s gets to play with his best friend and his fiancé just... dumped him?!.

Reeling from a sudden change in status, Andy decides it’s time to just focus on hockey. Until his best friend's sister comes out with news that rock the entire organizations world.,

Andy has always carried a torch for the untouchable Leighton but in her hour of need, is now the time to shoot and score or risk getting cross - checked again?

Warnings: Cheating (but not by the MCs); slow burn; friends to lovers eventually; SMUT!; pregnancy; jealousy; handsome goalies, evil exes...

A/N: The tag list is open!

Dividers by @firefly-graphics

Banners by me!

Previous: Chapter 4 ~ Being Captain Sucks ~ Andy

Series Masterlist // Main Masterlist

Chapter Five - Here for You - Leia/Andy

Leia

I fully understand that news can make you speechless.

I’ve shared some doosies in my lifetime. Especially to the man in front of me. While Luke is my brother and I trust and love him, sometimes there are things I just can’t tell him. Like when I lost my virginity to my high school boyfriend. Or when the same boyfriend broke up with me and I couldn’t tell Luke because I knew he would beat him up.

But I could always tell Andy anything.

Except this time, I think I broke him.

“Andy, please say something,” I beg him.

“You’re pregnant?” I nod, scared he’s going to start yelling. He stops and looks away for a moment. Then he looks back at me. “It’s Bret’s.” Not a question, just a statement. I nod again because, really, I don’t want to say it out loud. Andy runs a hand through his hair. “Are you going to keep it?”

“I don’t know,” I whisper. I really don’t. Because right now the feelings of being terrified and excited are swirling around in me. The road trip had passed in a blur. I was doing everything i could to avoid being sick in front of everyone, while trying to do my job. It was hard. And a couple of times I had to lie to get out of whatever it was that was brought up, like going to a club and stuff.

The weird part of it was Jeremy wasn’t around like I assumed he would be. And Andy had been checking in on me more frequently. Stella just rolled her eyes when I mentioned it, so she was no help but now, in this moment, I need Andy.

“Ok,” he finally says. “Have you seen a doctor to confirm?”

He’s using his captain voice, which is sexy to hear on the ice while he is commanding his teammates in drills and right now, it's making my lower region tingle a bit. Fuck Leia, focus. “Uh, no. I didn’t know where to do in California or Washington or Canada for that matter. I was going to sneak over there soon because i wasn’t gonna say anything but here we are.”

“Yeah, here we are.” Andy shook his head. “Are you going to tell him?”

Fuck, I hadn’t even thought of that. I have to tell my ex about a baby that i am sure he doesn't want. Or if he does, would he insist I move with him so he can be closer to his kid. Or worse, would he say I need to marry him so I don’t raise a bastard. He had that mentality, so it was a legitimate fear.

Andy could see my panic. “Hey, its ok.” He pulls me back into his arms. “Everything is going to be ok.”

“What am I going to do Andy? I have to tell him but what if he wants to take my baby? What if he insists I move? Oh god.” I lean into him and sob. My entire life is being blown up and I have no idea what to do.

“Princess, breathe for me. C’mon, you can do it. In and out.” I breathe at his tempo, grateful for his presence. As my breathing slows, he kisses the top of my head. “Now, everything is going to be ok. First step is the doctor and confirm everything.” I nod. “Second, is deciding if you tell the doucheweasel about it. Whatever you want to do, I am here for you, ok?”

“I have to get a place and buy baby stuff... and Luke. Oh god he’s going to murder me.”

“A place?” Andy asks surprised. “Why do you need a place?”

“Andy, if I have this baby, I need to have my own place. I can’t cramp your style with a pregnant girl living with you. Eventually you’ll want to date and then you bring a girl home and there is a screaming infant and...”

Andy covers my mouth to stop the ramble that is happening. “Leia, do you honestly think I would let my pregnant best friend live somewhere else?”

Well, that was unexpected. I move to make a sound and Andy lets go of my face. “You aren’t kicking me out?”

“And risk your brother’s rath? I don’t think so. No thank you. You can live here with me. Whatever you decide. Promise.” He holds out his pinky finger. I grasp it with mine and smile.

“I think I do want to keep it, Andy. I know its part Bret but hopefully we can tame whatever genes that asshole passes over.” I chew my lips. “I’ll email him about it and he can decide from there.” I move to stand but I’m so dizzy from being dehydrated and Andy has to hold me to stop from falling over.

“Would you go back to him if he asked?” Andy looks torn over asking the question.

“No,” I say immediately. “I can’t be with someone like him, who wants to control my life and my decisions.” The look of relief that passes Andy’s face is comical. “You really didn’t like him.”

“I really didn’t, princess. C’mon, water, juice and some toast to get your stomach to settle. I’ll call around for a doctor.”

“Thanks Andy.” I chew my lips as we walk downstairs. “Can you help me with more thing?”

“Sure Princess.”

“Can you help me tell Luke?”

I’ve never seen a man look so scared in his life.

Andy

It's a couple of days later, and I’m sitting in an exam room with Leia, staring at the posters in her office. Why am I staring? Because its pictures of woman, in child birth. I swallow hard, trying not to get queasy. Why did I volunteer for this? I look down at Leia, who is chewing her bottom lip and clutching Sebastian. She was the reason. I take a deep breath and take her hand. “Everything is going to be ok, Princess.”

“You don’t know that Chewy.” She looks up at me. “I could have already miscarried, or its ectopic or its was completely false and...”

I squat to get eye level with her, and she stops. I kiss her knuckles. “Everything is going to be fine. They already did the blood test and that will confirm everything. The doctor will come in and check and then we can make some decisions, ok?”

“We?” She looks at me with shiny eyes. She is so scared that her eyes are wider than normal, Sebastian basically being choked at this point.

I grasp her fingers around the stuffed cow and massage them until they are loose again. “We, ok? I won’t leave your side as long as you want me here.” I reach up and kiss her forehead. “We are going to be ok.”

Just then, the doctor comes in and I stand back up next to Leia. “Good Morning, Leighton. I’m Dr. Sheppard. I’ll be doing your exam and then I will send you to the ultrasound room for the first pictures of baby. Is this dad?”

I move to say no, but Leia beats me to it. “Yes, he is.”

What the fuck is she doing? I look down at her and she smiles her public relations smile and I know, she is saving face. I smile at the doctor as she makes a note. “I’m Andy...”

“I know who you are Mr. Barber. I’m a big fan. I was sorry to hear about... well...”

Shit, Leia did not think her decision through and here we are. “Leia and I have been friends for years and we had one night.” I shrugged and smile. “Guess everything was meant to be.” The lie comes too easily.

“Of course,” Dr. Sheppard flushes and moves to the computer. She cleared her throat and read something. “Well, the blood test confirms high levels of HCG, which is positive for pregnancy. When was the last day of your menstrual cycle?” She smiles as she looks at Leia.

Leia flinches and flashes me an apologetic look. “Umm, I’m not sure.”

“That’s fine. The intra vaginal ultrasound can confirm a pretty close approximation of size and date of conception. Otherwise, how are you feeling?”

“I’m nauseous all the time. Sleepy too.” She looks at me again, like she wants to verify that she’s using the right words.

“She’s been having a low grade fever on and off for a couple of days. She’s able to keep toast, tea and a little bit of juice down during the day. She’s also been dizzy a few times,” I explain.

“These are all normal,” Dr Sheppard confirms. “The dizziness is from the dehydration and vomiting. Unfortunately, morning sickness is not just in the morning. It really should be named all day sickness. That should clear up as you head into the second trimester.” She looked back at the notes on the computer. “Otherwise, your weight is good, all of your other blood levels are great. Just try to rest and keep your strength up. I’m going to prescribe some antinausea medication for the times it won’t just stop.”

“Ok,” Leia’s lip trembles a little.

“Let’s get you to ultrasound and see baby.”

Once Leia is stripped from the waist down, I sit by her head as we wait for the technician. “I’m the father?” I whispered to her.

“I panicked. I’m sorry. I just didn’t want to be judged as a single mother.”

Before I can respond, the tech comes in and they start on the exams. They roll a wand over Leia’s flat stomach, and we see a tiny blip of a thing show up on the screen. Then the most amazing sound is echoing in the room. “Is that...”

“That is baby’s heart beat,” the tech smiles. “It looks like you are about eight or nine weeks pregnant. Congratulations.”

I feel it pull on my chest that my Leia is going to be a mother. She has a new life in her belly. I see the tears stream down her face. I thumb them away as I have a really devastating thought cross my mind.

I wish I was the father for real.

As we stared at the pictures in our living room a little while later, Leia finished composing her email to Bret. I can’t believe that fucker gets to be a father to this baby. This baby that should be mine. I have to swallow down my anger about it as Leia leans into me as she hesitates to press send. “I’m right here Princess.”

“I don’t want him to take my baby.”

“He won’t. I won’t let that happen.” I kiss her temple. She takes a steadying breath and clicks send.

“There.”

“Better?”

“No.”

I chuckled. “Ok. Well, we have until the beginning of May to make this work.” I sat up and grabbed my phone. “I won’t know what our schedule is then because that is playoffs. But during our Christmas break, we should know what the baby is, and we can paint their room.” I studied my phone but it's quiet and I look at Leia and she has tears streaming down her face. “Princess, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she squeaks. “It's just... you’re planning on a room?”

“Of course, I am. Leia,” I put my phone down. “This is my niece or nephew and I love them as if they were my own. I was thinking about the room between ours, that way both of us can listen for them. That leaves the two guest rooms at the end of hall free for people when they come over.”

Leia launches herself at me and I catch her, making sure she isn’t hurt. “Thank you, Andy, so much. I was so scared, but you are making me feel better about this.”

“Hey, you’re my best friend. I would do anything for you.” I rub her back as she cries, wishing i could do more. After a few minutes, she starts to calm down and I pull back. “Ready to go meet Luke?”

She shakes her head but squeaks out a yes. “He’s going to be so mad at me.”

“He’s not going to be mad at you. If anything, I don’t think six thousand miles is enough distance for Luke not to go out and kick Bret’s ass.” I laugh as she giggles. “C’mon, the faster we do this, the faster we can eat.”

Leia and I had decided that it would probably be best to meet Luke in a public place to prevent a blow up. Well, its wishful thinking that we might prevent it but here we go. I drove us to the restaurant, praying this was going to be ok. I really didn’t want Leia to have to deal with her brother. As I’ve said before, Lucas Andrews is a protective bastard and would do anything to make sure his sister was happy. I got us in and saw him sitting in a booth in the back. He raised his hand, and I walked Leia over. “Just breathe, Princess.”

“Hey Barber, Cubby,” giving both of us a hug. We ordered, and small talked for a bit. Leia’s leg was bouncing, and she was staring at her drink, biting her lip. “Ok sis, what is going on?” She snapped her head up. “You’re bouncing. What’s going on?”

Leia looked at me and I nodded. She looked at her brother and took a shaky breath. “I got sick over the road trip.”

“I know that.” Luke took a sip. “You had a fever.”

“No. I mean, yes but it wasn’t a regular sickness.” Leia tried to keep the tears i could see from flowing. “I was throwing up on the trip, so I took a test with Stella and...” she hesitated and looked down. “I’m pregnant.”

“What?” Luke looked at me and I nodded. “You’re pregnant?” I could see the color rising from his neck. “Who is the father?” He looked at me again and I shook my head. Leia was crying and wouldn’t look at her brother. “Leighton, look at me.” She shook her head, so he reached over and gently grasped her chin to turn her head. “Is it Bret?” Her bottom lip trembled, and she barely nodded before Luke exploded. “Son of a bitch!” He stood up and walked out of the restaurant as Leia began to sob. I wrapped an arm around her to let her cry as I watched my best friend walk out of the restaurant.

“I’m sorry Leia. I’m so sorry,” I whispered as she cried. I let her go. “Stay right here. I’ll be right back.” I walked out to the front where Luke was pacing. “Get your ass back in there Andrews,” I growled.

“How could she be so stupid? How could she let that ass wipe do this to her?” He ran his hands through his hair. “She’s just starting her business and the season and... FUCK!” He kicked a sign over.

“That is enough Lucas. Your sister needs you. She was so scared to tell you. I had to convince her to come. You are confirming her worse fears. She’s going to need you. Your niece or nephew is going to need you.”

“How long have you known?”

“The day after the road trip. I made her go to the doctor this morning to confirm.”

He gave me a look and I could see his heart crack. He ran back in and I followed. He went right up to her and pulled her into his arms. “Oh Cubby, I’m sorry, I’m not mad at you Leia.” He hugs her tight as she starts to sob again. “Fuck, I screwed that up.” They hold each other for a few minutes, and I get us refills. I walk back as they start talking.

“I sent him an email, but I refuse to move or give up my baby.” Leia has her determined face on. “I can keep working, that’s what the doctor said but try and avoid being on the ice.”

“You gonna tell management?”

“I’m going to have to but I’m not going to tell anyone else. Not until I can’t avoid it anymore.” She shrugs as she shoves a fry in her mouth. I’m happy her appetite is back.

“I mean, that’s your right,” he says. “What about mom?” He grimaces as Leia rolls her eyes.

“I guess I’ll tell her but I don’t want her involved. She was like, obsessed with Bret and loved that he wanted me to be a housewife.” She shuddered at the thought. “Imagine me as a stay at home mom. I’ll destroy the house myself just to get away from that.”

Their mom was not the same after their dad died. She had been the typical hockey mom up until then. After, she cared a little too much about her children. Especially Leia, since she assumed that Leia would be more like her. But Leia is like her father, ambitious and driven, and she had always shunned the idea of just being a housewife. I really love that about her. That she wanted it all and not just be a support system.

“Yeah, i get that. Miranda is the same way.” Luke sighed. “I gotta talk to her about this and about you moving in to the house and stuff.” He took a long pull of his beer as Leia and I stopped to look at him. I looked at her and she cleared her throat.

“Actually, Flyboy, I’m going to stay with Andy.” Luke looks confused now. “What? But...” Her phone rings and she checks it before getting up. “I have to take this.”

Luke turns to me as soon as she walks away from the table. “Are you ok with this?”

I shrug. “Of course I am. I offered. Dude,” i grasp his shoulder, “I promised you I would take care of her if she ever needed me. I’m keeping that promise.”

Luke pulls me in for a hug. “Thanks man.”

“I’ll always be there for the Andrews siblings.”

If only he knew that i wanted more with his sister. That i wanted her to be my girl. That I wanted to be the father of her baby. That they were my family.

He would kill me on the spot.

Look at me with the non-cliffhanger!

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aimbutmiss · 3 months

Text

Mihawk was surprised when Crocodile came up to him with the idea of Cross Guild, which was surprising in itself, because it took a lot to get such reaction out of the stoic man. Mihawk's initial reaction was to assume Crocodile had finally gone mad after his fall from grace. But it didn't take him long to see the full picture. Buggy's debt and the sheer amount of men who adored him in his crew...he could be used easily and efficiently. But Mihawk didn't care about all that. He wasn't a businessman like Crocodile, he didn't care about money or power like him. But despite this, he still agreed. There were two main reasons why he did so:

1- He was bored. With Zoro and Perona gone, he was left on his own on his dreary island. (No offence to the humandrills, but they weren't exactly good company) At first he was quite happy about his situation, he did value his solidarity after all. However, that bliss didn't last very long. He quickly found his usual routine to be repetitive and dreadful, more and more as the days passed. Losing his warlord status right after triggered a fuse in his mind. He could do anything he wanted (not that the government ever got in the way of him doing as he pleased) but he realised that he didn't know what it was that he wanted. Crocodile's offer reminded him of the offhand conversations he used to have with Shanks at dirty bars, which brings us to the second point:

2- He was very intrigued by Buggy. Shanks babbled a lot after he had a bit too much to drink, more than usual at least. But he would still have some level of awareness no matter how drunk he was, never letting his guard completely down. This was not the case with Mihawk. They were close friends, something even more at some point, so Shanks felt comfortable enough to open the dam holding back his words around him. Mihawk appreciated this, not only because it was a huge show of trust, but also because of how entertaining his stories were. Stories about wars and victories, the Pirate King and Dark King Rayleigh... It was all so intriguing. But everything somehow always circled back around to one man: Buggy. Mihawk had never heard of him before, but if Shanks' words were to go by he must have been truly exceptional. Shanks used to have this lovesick look on his face whenever he talked about his old friend, sometimes even straight up sobbing in front of him. This man, who was on Gold Roger's crew and made Shanks fall head over heels in love, perplexed Mihawk. How could such a man exist, hiding his existence for so long? Oh, how he longed to meet him.

Unfortunately for Mihawk, their first meeting didn't go according to plan. Marineford was a mess. He wasn't very interested in the government's goals, he just wanted to see how far straw hat would go. That boy's potential shone so bright, it didn't surprise him one bit that red hair also saw it. What he didn't expect at all though, was to run into the Buggy from Shanks' stories, who was being used like a human shield by straw hat. So, it didn't phase Mihawk one bit when his sword cut straight through the man but he quickly put himself back together. The blue hair, the red nose, this couldn't possibly be anyone else. Mihawk had a certain image of Buggy in his mind, but that all shattered at one look at this man-baby in front of him. There was no way this was the man Shanks was praising left and right, right? Or perhaps, Shanks' stories were always tinted with rose coloured glasses and very far from the truth. How disappointing. But still, something didn't sit well in Mihawk's mind. There must have been some amount of truth to the words he heard. He wanted to see more, but unfortunately didn't have the opportunity to catch the clown again, with Shanks arriving and all. Yet here it was, two years later, Crocodile was handing him a second chance on a silver platter. He simply couldn't refuse.

And so, he agreed to playing house with Crocodile. It was obvious why the man had reached out to him instead of, literally anyone else. Mihawk was strong. He had a strong hold on the use of haki, which the other man lacked. He could easily protect them while Crocodile ran the business part of things. They would work well together, covering each other's weak points. The more obvious reason though, was the fact that Mihawk happened to be one of the very few people Crocodile got along with. That man had a habit of making enemies of everyone he came across, which was not surprising considering he wasn't very likable. But that never bothered Mihawk, he did like a challenge.

The more he got to know Buggy, the more he hated the man, which was not what he was going for at all. He tried his best to see any good traits in him, but repeatedly failed to do so. The man was like a soggy, wet mop, who cried at any chance. He was way too easy to push around, and Mihawk kept doing it because the damn clown was so annoying. His voice, his mannerisms all got on his nerves. This was it, giving up was the only choice. There was no way this clown had any redeemable quality. Shanks was just more insane than he initially thought, whatever. It was just wasted time, and he wouldn't waste any more of it.

Just as he had decided on his departure from Cross Guild and had mentally prepared himself to clash with Crocodile (which he really didn't want to do, he actually liked the man) fate decided this was not the end. All the stalking he did payed off as slowly, he started seeing the clown in a new light. It was the small things at first. The man clearly cared for his crew, and it was almost sweet. He'd always put aside time to train in acrobatics with Cabaji, and to groom Richie with Mohji. He and Alvida had tea time together, giving the woman her much needed gossip time. He was more silent with his closer confidants, he let them do the talking while he listened. He let Cabaji teach him new moves, to help him out when he struggled. He laughed at Mohji's horrible jokes. And it wasn't that boisterous clown laugh, oh no, it was much more...quiet. Yet somehow more vibrant. It was genuine. He let Alvida paint his nails, and let Richie lick his face even when it got red and irritated. He was usually known for his grand gestures as the "genius jester", but he showed his love much more subtly to his friends. It was almost refreshing to see the difference. Almost like the usual Buggy was a performance, a show. And Mihawk was finally seeing the backstage.

Then, one day, he ran into him in the library. He was in his colourful pyjamas, hair tied into a bun and no clown makeup to cover his face. No makeup. One look into his sea green eyes and Mihawk finally started to understand what Shanks must have been thinking. This man was beautiful. And he was holding one of his favourite books.

"D-do you want me to leave? Because I totally can! I'll be out of here in a jiffy-"

"No need. You may stay."

Mihawk didn't know what came over him, but he walked over to the other man. "I quite enjoyed that one. Which chapter are you on?"

And just like that, their unofficial book club started. Buggy was a lot more clever than he let on. Mihawk quite enjoyed listening to his opinions about the books they read. One day, it stopped just being books. They'd talk about anything and everything. Mihawk hated to admit it, but this was exactly what he was missing on Kuraigana: companionship. He felt comfortable with Buggy, and it felt way too easy to fall into a routine with him. Buggy was knowledgeable on a lot of things. He knew chemistry and physics, spending a lot of time in his workshop working on his bombs. He was also a stellar navigator. Clearly his apprenticeship under Roger hadn't been for nothing like it seemed. And when he spoke of old tales, he wouldn't smile like Shanks did. His eyes were carrying sadness and sorrow Mihawk couldn't comprehend. How fascinating, that the same experiences can bring completely different emotions to different people.

When he wanted to try to see Buggy more from red hair's perspective, his goal wasn't falling in love. But that's exactly what happened. It happened all too quickly. He got back into his farming and cooking hobby, because now he felt he had a reason to settle down on Karai Bari. A lot of his cooking ended up on Buggy's plate. Unintentionally, at first, but it made the clown so happy that Mihawk didn't have it in himself to stop. If anything, he started to spend a lot more time in the kitchen. And the escalation of their relationship wasn't one sided, Buggy had also started feeling more comfortable around him. (Which definitely didn't make Mihawk fill with warmth) He started asking things of him like "Can you brush my hair?" "Can you watch me perform this trick?" and Mihawk found that he was losing his ability to say no at an alarming rate. He was falling for the man. He took that revelation with grace, he wasn't the type to deny his feelings, unlike a certain someone. (Crocodile's denial of his feelings for Buggy is a whole other story that was happening consecutively to all this) And as he watched Buggy polish Yoru with careful hands and focused eyes, he found it all too easy to understand Shanks. No wonder this man had an army of men following him, willing to do anything he said. Buggy the Clown was dangerous, and he just added Mihawk's name to his long list of victims.

Mihawk's mouth curved upwards as he took the shiny sword from a smiling Buggy. He found that just this once, he didn't mind being a victim at all.

#is this my longest post??? maybe #im so normal #i got possessed i think #one piece #buggy the clown #red haired shanks #cross guild #dracule mihawk #sir crocodile #buggy pirates #buggy x mihawk #bughawk #I JUST CHECKED THIS IS 1.7K WORDS WHAT #my writing

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